Cleaning nozzle and method for vacuum cleaning

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner nozzle ( 1 ) bounding an inlet ( 2 ) for guiding aspirated air through the nozzle ( 1 ). The nozzle ( 1 ) comprises a rim ( 3, 4 ) along an outer end contour of the inlet ( 2 ) for contacting a floor surface area ( 6 ) when in an operating position on the floor surface ( 6 ), wherein at least a rim portion ( 3, 4 ) is movable between a 5 lowered position for contacting a floor surface ( 6 ) and a lifted position for leaving a spacing between the rim portion ( 3, 4 ) and the floor surface ( 6 ). A rim operating structure ( 21 ) is adapted for leaving the rim portion ( 3, 4 ) in the lowered position during an initial portion of a movement stroke of the nozzle over the floor surface ( 6 ) in a direction and for subsequently, during a later portion of the stroke, starting the lifting to the lifted position. This improves the aspiration of larger particles.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vacuum cleaner nozzle bounding an inlet for guiding aspirated air through the nozzle, the nozzle comprising:
 a rim along an outer end contour of the inlet for contacting a floor surface area when in an operating position on the floor surface, wherein at least a leading rim portion of the rim is movable between (i) a lowered position for contacting a floor surface or extending close to the floor surface, and (ii) a lifted position for leaving a spacing, or at least a larger spacing, between the rim portion and the floor surface, wherein the leading rim portion is hingedly suspended, and wherein the leading rim portion, when in the lifted position, is in a position pivoted inwardly towards the inlet from the lowered position of the leading rim portion; and 
 a rim operating structure for lifting and lowering, during a movement stroke of the nozzle over the floor surface in a given direction, the leading rim portion between the lowered position and the lifted position; 
 wherein the rim operating structure is adapted for leaving the leading rim portion in the lowered position during a portion of the movement stroke of the nozzle over the floor surface in the given direction and for subsequently, during a later portion of the movement stroke in the given direction, starting the lifting of the leading rim portion to the lifted position. 
 
     
     
       2. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rim operating structure is adapted for determining a moment for the start of the lifting of the leading rim portion in relation to an expected end of the stroke. 
     
     
       3. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rim operating structure is adapted for determining a moment for the start of the lifting of the leading rim portion in relation to a beginning of the stroke. 
     
     
       4. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rim operating structure is adapted for, each time, keeping the leading rim portion in the lifted position for a predetermined period of time or over a predetermined distance of displacement of the nozzle over the floor. 
     
     
       5. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in the lifted position, the leading rim has a guide surface facing outwardly from the inlet and extending at an angle of 5-30° relative to a plane defined by the contour of the inlet, an inner end of the guide surface projecting further in a direction perpendicular to said plane than an outer end of the guide surface, such that, when the nozzle is in the operating position, the inner end of the guide surface is closer to the floor surface than the outer end of the guide surface. 
     
     
       6. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said vacuum cleaner nozzle further comprises a skid plate for contacting the floor surface when the whole rim is in the lifted position, the skid plate having a guide surface in line with the guide surface of the leading rim in the lifted position. 
     
     
       7. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the leading rim comprises a strip-shaped brush and a strip that is continuous in its longitudinal direction and extends along the brush, and wherein, when the leading rim is in the lifted position, the guide surface at least includes a surface of the strip facing away from the brush. 
     
     
       8. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the leading rim portion is positioned along a first side of the contour of the outer end of the inlet, and a further rim portion is positioned along a side of the contour of the outer end of the inlet opposite the first side of the contour. 
     
     
       9. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the leading rim portion is moveable independently of the further rim portion. 
     
     
       10. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, seen in bottom view, the leading rim portion extends along a curved and/or V-shaped trajectory side of the contour of the outer end of the inlet, a central section of the leading rim portion being located inwardly relative to outer sections of the leading rim portion. 
     
     
       11. The vacuum cleaner nozzle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one leading rim portion further comprises a side flap that extends along a side of the vacuum nozzle. 
     
     
       12. A robotic vacuum cleaner comprising a self propelled, self-steering unit comprising a nozzle according to  claim 1 , a unit conducting system containing data representing directions determining a track to be followed by the unit, and wherein the rim operating structure is adapted for determining when to lift the rim portion from the data representing directions determining a track to be followed by the unit.